Thule Roof Bars: 860 v 861

[Guest RichA]

I have an A4 Avant (2004) with roof rails and want to get some Thule roof bars. I would like to get the 755 footpack with either the 860 or 861 aero bars.

My query is: Do the 860(108cm) fit or do I require the 861(120cm)?

I see a cars with these bars and they often have a large overhang either side of the rail. The longer 861 is the recommended size but i would prefer bars with a smaller overhang if possible (i.e. if it would fit).

So, Has anyone tried the 860?

Or, Can anyone with a 861 tell me if there is a spare 6cm overhang each side?

Many thanks.

[gizze]

They are only ali bars so you can cut them to length easily, I would get the longer ones and a 99p hacksaw.

[Guest RichA]

I thought it may be possible. Presumably by taking off the endcap, cutting down and replacing.

However, I am not really a tinkerer, and would rather buy the shorter bar if it fits (which I believe it may).

Anyone tried the shorter bars? Or know how much spare bar there is on the longer 861's?

Thanks.

[gizze]

I have the 860 bar, bought it when I got a 320d touring, and from memory I couldn't quite get it to fit the A4 avant, but don't hold me to that as it could have been the A6 that they didn't fit on.

The end caps come off everytime you take the bars off/put them on as this you use these to secure them to the foot pack by twisting them.

If you want a perfect fit jus get the longer ones and cut one end so they are spot on, seriously would take 2 minutes.

[Bluedan]

Rich did you ever do this? I'd be interetsed in finding out if it worked. Can't see the point in the large overhang each side of roof bars.

[Guest RichA]

Bluedan,

In the end I went for the 861 (120cm). The overhang isn't that great - the side of the A4 is quite steeply raked - so the overhang is well within the width of the car.

If you are interested on the 860/108cm's I could measure the overghang on mine for you but I doubt they would fit and I am not going to bother to cut mine down as they are fine. Some overhang is good for securing the straps.

Basically my percieved issue is not an issue.

Rich

[Bluedan]

what made you choose these over the Altera ones? Does Thule bike carriers lock onto Altera racks? Any other advice would be appreciated, I am trying to decide myself and thought your thought process might help!

[Guest RichA]

[ QUOTE ]

what made you choose these over the Altera ones? Does Thule bike carriers lock onto Altera racks?

[/ QUOTE ]

Just decided that I had heard more about Thule & you see them about more so went with them. (I believe that bike carriers should work with both)

FYI. I measured my bars and when done up tight there is 6.5cm spare from the outside of the footpack to the inside of the end cap. So I reckon that the 860's (108cm) might just fit but is probably a little bit on the short side.

[Guest]

There are possible issues with the clearance with the slots in the bar for the feet attachments. The feet may not be able to reach the optimum mounting points without fouling the slots. You may be able to machine the slots to suit, but that's probably not ideal to do that.

I'd prefer to have the overhang so that I could load wider (it would be the difference between 4 kayaks on their side and 5; or 2 kayaks + roofbox or 1 kayak + roofbox).

Never attach straps outside of the foot upright - I learned this the hard way when my straps flexed the kayaks, the strap popped off the outside of the bar, and the 2 kayaks on the roof caught the airflow and went about 40 feet straight up. Thankfully no damage to the boats and no other traffic on the road. Lesson learned the easiest of the hard ways!